(a) Each person renewing his or her license under the provisions of this chapter shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, he or she has informed himself or herself of developments in the vocational nurse field or in any special area of vocational nurse practice, occurring since the issuance of his or her certificate, or the last renewal thereof, whichever last occurred, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education approved by the board in the vocational nurse field or relevant to the practice of such licensee, and approved by the board; or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b) For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to assure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees including, but not limited to, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(c) This section shall not apply to the first license renewal following the initial issuance of a license.
(d) The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
This section shall become operative on July 1, 1980.
(Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 651.)